Are you sure that your posture at a meeting does not make your colleagues doubt your competence?
Research from Harvard University has proven that 55% of a person’s opinion is formed in the first 7 seconds of communication – and body language is everything here.
We'll tell you which poses can ruin your professional image.
Why is body language important?
Nonverbal cues influence trust, authority, and promotion decisions.
For example, a study from the University of California (2023) found that people with “closed” body language receive 30% fewer offers of cooperation.
Crossed arms
What it says: "I'm defensive, distrustful, closed to new ideas."
Why it hurts: Managers perceive this as resistance. In 80% of cases, such employees are less likely to receive complex projects.
How to fix? Keep your arms along your body or use palms-up gestures. If this is difficult, grab a notepad.
Slouching at the table
What it says: "I have no energy, I am unsure of my decisions."
Why it's bad: A straight back increases testosterone levels by 20% (Journal of Health Psychology). Slouched people seem less influential.
How to fix: Adjust your chair so that the screen is at eye level. Every 30 minutes, stand up straight and take 3 deep breaths.
Avoiding eye contact
What it says: "I am lying or hiding information."
Why is it harmful? According to MIT, employees who make eye contact are twice as likely to get promoted.
How to fix? Focus on the bridge of the interlocutor's nose if the eyes are confusing. Alternate between looking and slight nods.
Nervous fidgeting
What it says: “I have no control over the situation or myself.”
Why it's bad: A shaking leg or tapping a pen reduces trust by 45% (Applied Psychology).
How to fix: Press your feet to the floor, put your hands on the table. If you are worried, hold the pose for 10 seconds.
"Closed" legs (standing)
What he says: “I’m not ready for dialogue, I’m uncomfortable.”
Why it's harmful: Standing with your legs crossed makes you look smaller and less authoritative.
How to fix: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your toes slightly turned out. This is a confident pose.
How to quickly change perception?
1. Before the meeting, take up space. Sit with your elbows out or stand with your hands on your hips (superhero pose).
2. Smile with the corners of your eyes. A "forced" smile is noticeable and causes mistrust.
3. Copy your interlocutor's gestures. Mimicry increases the level of sympathy by 40%.
Emergency life hack
If you make a mistake, change your posture abruptly but naturally. For example, get up to get some water or straighten your jacket. This will "reset" the perception of others.
Your action plan
1. Record yourself on video during the call. Note which poses you repeat.
2. Choose one parasitic pose and practice correcting it for 3 days.
3. Ask a coworker to signal when you cross your arms or slouch.
If you think these are trivialities, remember the last time you had to choose between two candidates. The winner was the one who looked more confident, not smarter.
Author: Dmitry Bobrov
